Bonney Family - King Philip's War

The Conflict Begins

The war's immediate cause was the execution by Plymouth Colony authorities in June 1675 of three warriors under the leadership of Metacom (known to the English as King Philip), sachem of a Wampanoag band. These warriors had been tried and found guilty of murdering John Sassamon, a Harvard-educated convert to Christianity who had served as an interpreter and advisor to Philip. Sassamon had been accused of spying for the colonists, and his murder was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of Plymouth Colony.

This incident ignited tensions that had been building for over 55 years between the English settlers and those Native American groups who sought to undermine the peaceful coexistence that had been established. The conflict arose from competing claims over land use, including disputes over the grazing of colonial livestock on hunting and fishing grounds, and resistance to the successful integration of some Native Americans into colonial society through conversion to Christianity and participation in the colonial economy.

The Great Swamp Fight

Although the Narragansett people had initially attempted to remain neutral, individual Narragansett warriors had participated in raids on colonial communities. This violation of peace treaties led the United Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Connecticut to assemble the largest colonial army yet seen in New England—1,000 militia members and approximately 150 Native American allies who remained loyal to the colonial cause.

In November 1675, Governor Josiah Winslow of Plymouth Colony marshaled the colonial militia and rendezvoused in Rhode Island territory. The objective was to prevent the Narragansett from launching a spring offensive by taking decisive action before they could fully mobilize. The militia advanced through the territory, securing abandoned Indian villages along the way.

On the morning of December 19, during a bitterly cold snowstorm, the colonial forces and their Native American allies began their attack on the Narragansett's main fort, situated on an island amid a frozen swamp in what is now West Kingston, Rhode Island. This engagement became known as the Great Swamp Fight. By evening, the militia had successfully overrun the fort and secured the position, burning the homes and food supplies that had been used to support the hostile forces.

The battle was costly for both sides, with the colonial forces suffering approximately 70 dead and 150 wounded. However, the victory was decisive: the hostile Narragansett forces were defeated, and those who escaped across the swamp faced severe exposure in the harsh winter conditions. This victory marked a turning point in the conflict, demonstrating the resolve and effectiveness of the colonial forces and their allies.

The Defense of the Colonies

Following the Great Swamp Fight, the conflict continued as the hostile forces, now under the leadership of the Narragansett sachem Canonchet, launched a late-winter offensive in 1676. This offensive pushed back parts of the colonial frontier in the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Rhode Island colonies. During this phase, the Narragansett destroyed several settlements in Rhode Island, including Providence, which they burned in March 1676.

However, the colonial forces and their allies proved resilient. By late spring 1676, the colonies began incorporating friendly Native Americans into their forces more systematically, following Connecticut's successful model. Connecticut had maintained strong relationships with local Native American groups throughout the conflict, and its example demonstrated the value of cooperation between settlers and their indigenous allies.

One notable exception was Benjamin Church's Plymouth command, which had utilized Native American allies from the beginning of the war. Church's forces succeeded in eliminating the hostile leader Metacom in August 1676, dealing a decisive blow to the enemy coalition.

Victory and Its Meaning

By September 1676, the colonial forces and their Native American allies had successfully ended the threat to the New England colonies. The hostile forces were defeated, and peace was restored to the region. The conflict had been costly: approximately 600 English soldiers had been killed, and 17 white settlements destroyed, with some 50 additional settlements damaged. However, the victory was complete, and the security of the colonies was assured.

Connecticut emerged particularly well from the conflict, having maintained its unique relationship with local Native American groups. The colony's success in working with its indigenous allies demonstrated the effectiveness of cooperation and mutual respect between the settlers and those Native Americans who chose to work alongside them.

The Bonney Family's Role

Thomas Bonney, the first of the Bonney family in America, served honorably in this campaign. On December 16, 1675, when the forces of Massachusetts Colony were mustered on Dedham Plain to march against the Narragansett fort, a proclamation was made to the soldiers in the name of the governor: "if they played the man, took the fort and drove the enemy out of the Narraganset country, which is their great seat, they should have a gratuity of land, besides their wages."

Thomas Bonney and his fellow soldiers answered this call to duty, participating in the defense of their communities. In recognition of their service, the colony honored its promise. In 1733, Thomas Bonney was awarded 32 acres in the Narraganset settlement (Township No. 7). This grant was recorded in the list of Narraganset Grantees for Duxbury, showing "Thos. Bonney - 32" acres. This land grant represented not only recognition of his military service but also the colony's commitment to rewarding those who had defended the common good.

Legacy and Significance

King Philip's War was one of the bloodiest conflicts per capita in early American history, but it was also a war in which the forces of order, stability, and cooperation triumphed over those who sought to disrupt the peaceful development of the colonies. The war demonstrated the strength of the partnership between English settlers and their Native American allies, who worked together to defend their shared interests.

Most importantly, the conflict reinforced the colonists' sense of self-reliance and independence. Without assistance from the English government, the settlers and their allies successfully defended their communities, forging bonds that would prove crucial in the development of American identity. The war demonstrated that the colonists could stand on their own, working with their indigenous partners to secure their future.

The victory in King Philip's War ensured the continued growth and development of the New England colonies. The successful defense of the region paved the way for the expansion of settlement and the establishment of the institutions that would shape American society. The cooperation between settlers and their Native American allies during the conflict established a model for future relationships and demonstrated the value of working together toward common goals.

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